MAM
[Podcast] Media Minds: Kokuyo Camlin CMO Saumitra Prasad on leveraging technology and social media
MUMBAI: It’s a brand that much of Gen X, Gen Y and even Gen Z has grown up with. As one of the oldest and most popular stationery brands in India, Camlin has been a mass favourite. Since 2011, Camlin has been a part of Japan’s Kokuyo which enabled it to diversify its existing product range and delve into premium products too.
In the latest episode of Media Minds, Kokuyo Camlin CMO Saumitra Prasad talks about the brand journey after the ownership change and how technology is helping it stay relevant.
Speaking about its current digital-first marketing approach, Prasad says, “Initially, it was to check whether technology is a threat to us because we realise that children today are spending a lot of time on tablets and apps as compared to making paintings. We started by developing an app called Camlin Experience App, which would give children the experience of (using) the real colours and what we realised that, over time, children developed an interest in real colours.”
Social media engagement is also a high priority to get a pulse of the new generation. He is proud of the engagement that the brand is getting on these platforms. He shares that like its offline property Camlin Art Contests, it runs many competitions on Facebook as well which receives great response from kids.
He also talks about how the brand has been investing in research and development to create product differentiations based on specific needs and likings of users.
Listen to the complete interaction here:
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
